A TEENAGER stabbed a 15-year-old boy to death believing he had raped his mother, a court was told.

Matthew Briers, 18, is charged with murdering John Marsh in Thatto Heath, St Helens last November.

Liverpool crown court heard the schoolboy was knifed five times in the chest and body.

Gordon Cole QC, prosecuting, said Briers’ mum, Karen Bradshaw had been at the home of the victim’s gran, Pat Marsh, where people had been drinking and playing cards.

He said: “It seems that about 11pm Karen Bradshaw returned to her home with John Marsh.

“It seems they initially intended to go back to play cards but from the account given by the defendant while he was at his house he recalls that sometime after they arrived back he recalls them being in Karen Bradshaw’s bedroom.”

Mr Cole said Briers and John argued and there was a scuffle during which Briers accused the victim of raping his mother.

John returned to his gran’s house and he had blood on his face and said what had happened.

A group went up the road to confront Ms Bradshaw and there was an argument in the street, with John challenging Briers to come and face him.

Mr Cole said: “The defendant, it seems, accepted the challenge to come down and outside.

“At some point, the defendant had hold of a knife. There is likely to be an issue for you (the jury) because there is conflicting evidence.

“Whatever did happen, he did take the knife outside and during the course of the argument, he plunged that knife in causing the fatal stab wound.”

When police arrived, Briers is alleged to have told them: “I stabbed him because he was raping my mum.”